A new generation of highly specialized medical office employees is taking on high-profile roles in the healthcare industry. These in-demand positions offer healthcare school graduates the ability to reduce the burden on doctors while improving patient care.

Medical office employees keep our health care system running smoothly. By freeing up a doctor's time to spend with patients, these specialized healthcare workers provide maximum service to patients with minimal costs to government programs and insurance providers.

Many employers recruit bachelor's degree candidates directly from healthcare schools. Some medical offices even allow students to start work before completing their degree programs, allowing staff members to move up within a practice as they earn new certifications.

Medical Coding and Billing

Medical coders transfer a physician's procedure notes into a patient's medical record. They enter the details of medical treatments into sophisticated databases. Insurance companies rely on medical coding professionals to streamline the process of reimbursing healthcare providers.

Recent salary studies indicate that many medical coding professionals earn close to $40,000 per year. While hospitals and larger private practices hire medical coders to work on-site, a growing number of specialists work from home. Employers rely on AAPC and AHIMA certification as a benchmark of quality. Most healthcare schools offer programs that prepare students to pass these examinations.

Medical billing clerks navigate the complex paths between insurance companies, government agencies, and private individuals. Using data generated by medical coding professionals, medical billing clerks determine how to invoice multiple parties for each procedure. In many cases, medical billers must negotiate directly with Medicare to help maximize patient coverage.

Many medical billers find success by working at home and serving multiple doctors' offices. In general, government statistics indicate that medical billers earn an average of nearly $30,000 each year.

Medical Assistant

Graduates of medical assisting programs provide helpful services in hospitals. For many healthcare professionals, a medical assistant job offers the opportunity to earn an income while completing advanced healthcare training. Medical assistants bridge the gaps between doctors, nurses, and administrators by completing the following tasks:

• answering telephones
• updating medical records
• scheduling appointments
• arranging for hospital admission
• coordinating laboratory services
• handling billing issues

Some doctors even allow medical assistants to assist with minor outpatient procedures. Most medical assistants earn just under $30,000 per year. However, many hospitals offer generous tuition reimbursement and professional development programs for medical assistants that want to gain healthcare degrees.

Physician Assistant

For many healthcare professionals, a career as a physician assistant offers a satisfying alternative to medical school. Physician assistants perform tasks under the supervision of licensed physicians. In many states, physician assistants take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests, supervise x-ray and MRI procedures, make diagnoses, and treat minor injuries.

All physician assistants are required to undertake an accredited education program and to pass the national certification to gain a license. Most physician assistants can complete their healthcare school programs within two years, before earning an annual salary of over $70,000.

Phlebotomists

As doctors rely more heavily on blood tests, many healthcare providers require skilled phlebotomists to collect blood samples from patients. More than just drawing blood, the workload of a phlebotomist includes verifying records, sanitizing equipment, and preparing specimens for laboratory analysis.

Though entry-level phlebotomists earn average salaries of about $26,000, professionals with a positive bedside manner and a flair for organization can earn significantly higher incomes. Many healthcare schools offer phlebotomy training, and employers prefer to hire certified professionals.

These areas of health care are growing, and those with the right degree have a chance at a career in any one of them.

Sources
Bureau of Labor and Statistics (www.bls.gov)
Monster Careers (www.monster.com)
Salary.com (www.salary.com)
Target Woman (www.targetwoman.com)


By: Joe Taylor Jr.
World Wide Learn Columnist